Drilling thin glass tips? and base mat inside the tank?

[Benga]

Hi everyone,

After watching Ryan's 10 year video I really contemplated things and decided to start fresh but this time not rush anything and try to thoroughly plan things through. That being said I currently have a 40B and I'm downsizing to a 12g, thankfully I don't have many fish or corals yet (event though it's a year in).

The new tank is 12g; 14" cube and the glass is only 5mm thick. My 40B has been using a HOB overflow which has failed me once recently which definitely scared me and had someone not been home the tank likely would have failed though not catastrophically.

TLDR: Is 5mm too thin to drill? I really like this tank shape and don't want to lose it. I'm also scared my HOB overflow would crack the back.
Are there mats people put down on the bottom of the inside of the tank that protects the glass from live rock and what not? I could have sworn I saw Ryan use it in one of his videos but couldn't find it.

 

[Flippers4pups]

In theory, any glass that's not tempered could be drilled. If not tempered, plenty of water to cool the drill and glass, very slow speed and little to no pressure applied while drilling. 5mm is very thin, but if the above is true with enough skill, could be done.

 

[Kristophf]

If anything it will be easier and wont take long, just be careful not to apply pressure

 

[Peace River]

Hi everyone,

After watching Ryan's 10 year video I really contemplated things and decided to start fresh but this time not rush anything and try to thoroughly plan things through. That being said I currently have a 40B and I'm downsizing to a 12g, thankfully I don't have many fish or corals yet (event though it's a year in).

The new tank is 12g; 14" cube and the glass is only 5mm thick. My 40B has been using a HOB overflow which has failed me once recently which definitely scared me and had someone not been home the tank likely would have failed though not catastrophically.

TLDR: Is 5mm too thin to drill? I really like this tank shape and don't want to lose it. I'm also scared my HOB overflow would crack the back.
Are there mats people put down on the bottom of the inside of the tank that protects the glass from live rock and what not? I could have sworn I saw Ryan use it in one of his videos but couldn't find it.

I have drilled several 10g tanks which are even thinner than 5mm (I think they are 1/8" or 3.175mm). I use a jig made out of scrap wood, add water, and go sloooow. Don't think about cutting a hole as much as slowly grinding the glass with the hole saw. Thinner glass will flex and crack easily with pressure. One thing that you may want to consider is getting a 10g tank (possibly even used) and turn it into a sacrificial tank to cut several holes in as practice so that you have a much better feel for what is the right pressure. Also, search YouTube for how to use polarized glasses to make sure that the glass on your tank isn't tempered (it probably isn't but it is still a good idea to check). Good luck!

 

[Benga]

I have drilled several 10g tanks which are even thinner than 5mm (I think they are 1/8" or 3.175mm). I use a jig made out of scrap wood, add water, and go sloooow. Don't think about cutting a hole as much as slowly grinding the glass with the hole saw. Thinner glass will flex and crack easily with pressure. One thing that you may want to consider is getting a 10g tank (possibly even used) and turn it into a sacrificial tank to cut several holes in as practice so that you have a much better feel for what is the right pressure. Also, search YouTube for how to use polarized glasses to make sure that the glass on your tank isn't tempered (it probably isn't but it is still a good idea to check). Good luck!

That's reassuring!

I've never done this so I want to use 1" PVC for draining and return. If I use a 1" ID bulkhead do you know what size drill I should be using?

A bulkhead like this for example: https://www.amazon.com/Lifegard-Aqu...ords=bulkhead&qid=1562526292&s=gateway&sr=8-1